APMG International has announced that writing has commenced for the new Body of Knowledge for Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Professionals.

An innovation of the World Bank Group, with funding by The Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), the program of work will culminate in a new best practice guide to delivering PPPs successfully. A qualification scheme is also being developed. A Consultative Committee has been set up to steer the program. The committee includes:

• World Bank Group,
• Asian Development Bank,
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
• Inter-American Development Bank (through its Multilateral Investment Fund),
• Islamic Development Bank and PPIAF.

The team has a diverse range of experience in PPPs, covering many global regions and with excellent networks in the public and private sectors. They have gone through a rigorous assessment process to be part of the team.

The team is headed up by lead author, Andres Rebollo. Rebollo is a senior infrastructure advisor who has led more than 50 PPP and infrastructure advisory contracts. He said:

"A very significant amount of infrastructure is financed and managed through PPPs around the world. But there is a lack of international standard knowledge and common language. Dissemination and provision of a standard foundation of knowledge should help to improve PPP practices worldwide. Emerging markets need a well-organized and structured approach to PPPs with specialised professionals to handle the PPP process, if they want to attract international investors to their infrastructure pipelines. I hope this initiative will help countries (especially emerging economies) to attract developers and investors and succeed in helping them develop their infrastructure in a rational and efficient way through PPPs."

Richard Foster is the supporting lead author. He is based in Australia and has many years' of experience playing key roles in Australian PPP initiatives and leading PPP knowledge and capacity building activities in the Asia-Pacific region. He said:

"Over the past decade I have been involved in a wide range of PPP learning and capacity development activities. It has become apparent to me that it is time for a "step change" in this field to make available consistent good practice PPP knowledge around the world. This initiative has the potential to be such a step change. I am hoping that, through my involvement in the development of this body of knowledge, I can contribute to global learning and better infrastructure outcomes in many countries."

David Ehrhardt, CEO of Castalia, is a renowned infrastructure expert. He is responsible for the 'Establishing a PPP Framework' section of the BoK. He said:

"The PPP Body of Knowledge initiative has the potential to radically improve infrastructure services globally. The knowledge it provides will help governments correctly identify when PPPs are the best way to provide services, and to implement those partnerships well. PPPs offer huge opportunities to increase investment, efficiency and sustainability in infrastructure. It is exciting to work with a global team of PPP practitioners to synthesize our diverse perspectives and create a consensus view on global good practice."

E.R. Yescombe is co-authoring the BoK. He is an established PPP and project-finance consultant, and the author of the leading textbooks "Principles of Project Finance" (2nd edition 2014) and "Public-Private Partnerships: Principles of Policy and Finance" (2007). He said:

"This exciting new World Bank Group initiative should play a major role in raising and endorsing professional standards amongst officials responsible for PPPs in developing countries. As one who has previously worked with the World Bank in this field, I am very pleased to have an opportunity to make a contribution to its further development."

William Dachs, COO, the Gautrain Management Agency is co-authoring the Delivering and Commissioning section of the Bok. William was the Head of the PPP Unit at the South African National Treasury and was one of the Unit's founding members. He said:

"This is a long overdue initiative that will provide a smart tool for all involved in infrastructure finance and PPPs. I'm pleased to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile project."

The BoK is being compiled using APMG's tried and tested methods for publishing best practice. APMG will produce a common glossary, to accompany the BoK. The BoK will be subject to internal and external review to ensure it contains the very latest thinking in the field.